Last Updated on March 4, 2024
Who Is Johnny Knoxville?
Philip John Clapp, better known by his professional name Johnny Knoxville, is an American actor, comedian, film producer, screenwriter, stunt performer, and wrestler.
Johnny Knoxville is best known for co-creating and starring in the MTV reality stunt show ‘Jackass.’ The series aired from 2000 to 2002.
After putting up a stunning display in the ‘Jackass’ series, Knoxville and his co-stars were cast in ‘Jackass: The Movie’ in 2003. He has since appeared in all ‘Jackass’ film installments, including Jackass Number Two (2006), Jackass 3D (2010), Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013), Jackass Forever (2022), and Jackass 4.5 (2022).
In addition to his role in ‘Jackass,’ Johnny Knoxville has appeared in many other film and television shows during his career. Knoxville had major roles in Men in Black II (2002), A Dirty Shame (2004), Walking Tall (2004), The Dukes of Hazzard (2005), The Ringer (2005), The Last Stand (2013), and Skiptrace (2016). He also lent his voice to Leonardo in the 2014 animated film ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.’
Johnny Knoxville Quick Facts
Full Name: | Philip John Clapp |
Popular Name: | Johnny Knoxville |
Gender: | Male |
Birth Date: | March 11, 1971 |
Age: | 51 years |
Parents: | Philip Clapp and Lemoyne Houck-Clapp |
Siblings: | Lynne Clapp |
Birth Place: | Knoxville, Tennessee, United States |
Nationality: | American |
Ethnicity: | White |
Education: | South-Doyle High School and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts |
Marital Status: | Divorced; was married to Melanie Cates (from 1995 until their divorce in 2008) and Naomi Nelson (from 2010 until their separation in 2021) |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Wife/Spouse: | N/A |
Children: | Madison Clapp, Rocko Akira Clapp, and Arlo Clapp |
Dating: | N/A |
Net Worth: | USD 50 million |
Source of Wealth: | Acting, Film Producing, Screenwriting, Comedy, Stunt Performing, Wrestling, and Other Ventures |
Height: | 6′ 0″ (1.85 m) |
Weight: | 82 kg; In pounds: 182 lbs. |
Early Life and Career Information
Early Life
Philip John Clapp was born on March 11, 1971, in Knoxville, Tennessee, United States, to Philip Clapp and Lemoyne Houck-Clapp. His father was a tire and car salesman whereas his mother taught Sunday school.
Clapp attended Knoxville-based South-Doyle High School, during which he played baseball. He later attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Career as an Actor and Stunts Performer
After graduating from high school, Johnny Knoxville moved to California and began to pursue acting seriously. He made several film and television appearances, mainly in commercials and as an extra.
When his acting ambitions weren’t taking off as fast as he thought they would, Knoxville began to write and pitch article ideas to various magazines. One of those pitches – an idea in which he tested self-defense equipment on himself – piqued the interest of the Big Brother magazine and became his launch pad to the world of professional stunts performing.
As a stunt performer, Johnny Knoxville’s big break came when he co-created and starred in the ‘Jackass’ series from 2000 to 2002. Thanks to his outstanding display in the series, Knoxville began to land high-profile film and television roles. He started by appearing in the first installment of the ‘Jackass’ franchise in 2003, titled ‘Jackass: The Movie.’ He would later appear in all ‘Jackass’ movies, including Jackass Number Two (2006), Jackass 3D (2010), Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013), Jackass Forever (2022), and Jackass 4.5 (2022).
In addition to the ‘Jackass’ film franchise, the following are Johnny Knoxville’s other notable film and television credits:
Films
• Men in Black II (2002)
• A Dirty Shame (2004)
• Walking Tall (2004)
• Daltry Calhoun (2005)
• The Dukes of Hazzard (2005)
• The Ringer (2005)
• Nature Calls (2012)
• Small Apartments (2013)
• The Last Stand (2013)
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014, as a voice actor)
• Skiptrace (2016)
• Half Magic (2018)
• We Summon the Darkness (2019)
• Mainstream (2020)
Television Shows
• MTV Cribs (2002)
• Wildboyz (2003 – 2006)
• Player$ (2003)
• Australian Idol (2003)
• Saturday Night Live (2005)
• King of the Hill (2006)
• Family Guy (2008)
• Unhitched (2008)
• Dancing with the Stars (2009)
• Nitro Circus (2009)
• Ridiculousness (2011 and 2022)
• SpongeBob SquarePants (2012)
• Drunk History (2014 – 2018)
Production Career
In addition to acting, Johnny Knoxville has produced several movies and television shows. Notable ones include ‘The Birth of Big Air’ documentary and ‘The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia’ film, both in 2010. These projects were produced through Dickhouse Productions, a production company that Knoxville co-owns alongside ‘Jackass’ co-stars Jeff Tremaine and Spike Jonze.
In 2014, Knoxville collaborated with ‘Jackass’ executive producer Derek Freda to found another production company called Hello Junior.
Wrestling Career
Johnny Knoxville and most ‘Jackass’ crew members have undertaken various professional wrestling promotions for WWF.
Knoxville has also ventured into the wrestling ring. On October 13, 2008, the ‘Jackass’ sensation appeared on an episode of ‘Raw,’ feuding with The Great Khali. In 2022, Knoxville entered the Royal Rumble but was eliminated by Zayn.
Other Ventures
Johnny Knoxville’s career also includes making videogame, music, and web series appearances.
Knoxville appeared in the video games ‘Jackass: The Game’ and ‘Jackass Human Slingshot’ in 2007 and 2022, respectively.
In the music industry, Johnny is most noted for gracing music videos by numerous established artists. Examples include videos to the tracks “Flesh Into Gear” by CKY in 2002, “We Want Fun” by Andrew W.K also in 2002, and “Memories” by Weezer in 2010.
Johnny Knoxville’s Net Worth
Johnny Knoxville has involved himself in numerous income-generating ventures during his professional career. His various engagements have earned him a cool net worth of $50 million as of 2023.
Not much is known about Knoxville’s salary from his film and television projects. However, he likely earned his biggest paychecks from the ‘Jackass’ film franchise.
Lessons from Johnny Knoxville
1. Not everything that you’re good at qualifies as your true passion
Johnny Knoxville was a talented baseball player while in high school. But despite being exceptionally good at the sport, Knoxville chose to follow his true passion – acting.
2. Keep an open mind for partnerships
Knoxville owes his huge net worth partly to his willingness to forge partnerships. Johnny has collaborated with several artists on numerous projects, including his ‘Jackass’ crew.
3. A little change of approach is sometimes all you need to break big
Johnny Knoxville’s acting career got off to a rather slow start. When Knoxville thought that things weren’t happening fast enough, he began to pitch stunt articles to various magazines. And that’s how he gained the attention of renowned media outlets and producers.
Famous Quotes by Johnny Knoxville
• Coal mining is tough. Acting is just tedious.
• Doctors have told me I have a high pain threshold, but I can only know what I feel. I think I’m good at minimizing the pain and being indifferent to it.
• Everything you see on screen is real. By doing what we do, there’s naturally going to be a lot of grimacing. And whimpering.
• I pretty much operate on adrenaline and ignorance.
• People go to car races to watch the crashes.
Summary
Johnny Knoxville is one of the most talented actors of his generation. Although he’s not the wealthiest of them all, Knoxville’s $50 million net worth is definitely something to write home about.